MAG and Hallé Orchestra team up for trade mission

00:01, 18 September 2012

ByManchester Evening News

Manchester Airports Group is teaming-up with the Hallé Orchestra for a trade mission aimed at strengthening links between the north west and China. The Hallé is embarking on its first ever tour of China next months, during which time it will perform three concerts two in Beijing and one in Tianjin.

Manchester Airports Group is teaming-up with the Hallé Orchestra for a trade mission aimed at strengthening links between the north west and China.

The Hallé is embarking on its first ever tour of China next months, during which time it will perform three concerts two in Beijing and one in Tianjin.

Senior executives from MAG, along with representatives from UK Trade & Investment, will join the orchestra on the trip in a bid to promote the region.

Small and medium-sized businesses are also being invited to take part in the visit, during which they will get the chance to attend a reception at the British Ambassador’s residence in Beijing.

The move is part of MAG's attempts to secure a direct route between Manchester and China and comes on the back of it being named sister airport to Beijing Capital International – the second largest in the world.

MAG chief commercial officer Ken O’Toole said: "Trade with China from the north west continues to increase so we are delighted to continue to support the world-renowned Hallé Orchestra and showcase what the north west has to offer at the same time.

"Manchester Airport is the north west's international gateway and we have much to offer airlines as they look to service this growing market.

"A direct service will be beneficial to the whole of Greater Manchester and every SME wanting to expand into the Asia Pacific region from the north."

UKTI will help companies who join the trade mission to identify potential customers or partners in China, and to arrange meetings to sign up new business.

UKTI regional director Clive Drinkwater said: "The Hallé is renowned across the world and I’m sure the opportunity to meet some of the musicians, or to see a live performance, will be an extra incentive for Chinese businesses to do deals with firms in the north west.

"China is already one of our biggest customers but there’s still a lot more potential to increase exports to the country. The trade mission is open to all industries but may be of particular interest to the services sector, which currently makes up 44 per cent of the Chinese economy."

Manchester is already home to the third largest Chinese population in Europe and the city’s universities also attract the largest number of Chinese students in the UK.

Hallé music director and principal conductor Sir Mark Elder said: "This is an important and exciting opportunity for the Hallé, which would not have been possible without the long-term support of our principal sponsor Manchester Airport. In these challenging times, the close relationship between the Hallé and Manchester’s business community – which has existed from the Orchestra’s first concert 154 years ago – is more important than ever."

North west companies are being reminded that there are just two weeks left to sign up for UKTI’s trade mission to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The mission includes the chance to visit the Big 5 Construction Exhibition in Dubai from November 5-8, which is the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. To register email events@uktinorthwest.co.uk .

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